Chapter 78: The Qian Family of the Southern Seas

Binhai City, Hualong Villa District, Villa No. 1.

Lin Feng was cultivating in the practice room, surrounded by the radiance of the Spirit Gathering Array, his cultivation steadily advancing.

Suddenly, his phone rang—the sound of the doorbell. In Hualong Villa District, the most upscale neighborhood in Binhai, every villa was equipped with integrated security measures, and nearly all household devices were linked to the mobile phone, exceedingly intelligent.

He picked up the phone; the screen displayed the surveillance footage from the front gate. It was Wang Jisheng and his son, accompanied by Luo Qiankun.

Remotely unlocking the door via his phone, Lin Feng rose and descended to the villa’s living room.

There, Wang Jisheng, his son, and Luo Qiankun stood respectfully before the leather sofa.

“Grandmaster Lin, we apologize for disturbing your cultivation. Please forgive us!”

The three bowed in unison, fists clasped in earnest supplication.

Lin Feng waved his hand, inviting them to sit.

They sat with utmost reverence. Wang Jisheng produced a dossier and began his detailed report on the current situation in Binhai City:

“Grandmaster Lin, after a week of consolidation and restructuring, all the industries of the Tianlong Hall have been transferred to the Jisheng Society. As you instructed, all enterprises aside from legitimate businesses have been auctioned off. Henceforth, our society will never again touch the grey market.”

“Additionally, the auction of spiritual items continues. All acquired treasures have been stored in the villa’s basement, ready for your use at any time.”

“Lastly, there is news regarding Yunfeng Mountain—a rather ordinary range in Yuntai City. Yet, local legends abound: it is said that a monster resides in a valley within Yunfeng Mountain, preying on humans. The local police have many unresolved missing person cases, hinting at hidden secrets. Here are the detailed reports.”

Lin Feng accepted the documents from Wang Jisheng and carefully perused them.

Suddenly, a photograph of an unusually shaped rock caught his eye.

In the image, a ten-meter-tall black boulder bore mysterious blood-red characters, and on one side, a blurry pattern was engraved.

Lin Feng instantly recognized the origin of the pattern—it was the diagram of the Seven-Star Demon Sealing Array!

The Seven-Star Demon Sealing Array, a Daoist formation from ancient times, was specifically designed to counter the ancient demon clan.

“How intriguing. I never expected to see a diagram of the Three Pure Daoist tradition here on Earth. It seems this world is far more complex than it appears!”

It was known that the “Three Pure Dao” had once been a formidable force in the universe’s cultivation circles. At its zenith, even the primordial dragon clans had to bow before it.

It could be said to be the founding method of human cultivation, ushering in an entire era for the human race in ancient times.

Yet now, it had long since declined; its lineage severed, only fragments remained.

Who could have imagined that in this age of dwindling spiritual law, such a formation would still be found on Earth?

Lin Feng’s interest was immediately piqued.

“In that case, I must journey to Yunfeng Mountain myself.”

“Grandmaster Lin, since Yunfeng Mountain is so mysterious, I implore you to let me accompany you and protect you!” Luo Qiankun seized the opportunity to display his loyalty, clasping his hands in fervent request.

“Very well.” Lin Feng glanced at Luo Qiankun and nodded his assent.

Luo Qiankun was delighted, his eyes glinting with pride as he sent Wang Jisheng a triumphant look.

Wang Jisheng, seeing Luo Qiankun’s arrogant display, inwardly protested: “Damn it, no way. I can’t let that bastard Luo Qiankun outshine me. Yunfeng Mountain—I must go too!”

His mind raced, and he quickly replied with deference: “Grandmaster Lin, conditions in Yuntai City are complicated. I happen to have connections there and can serve as your guide. With me leading the way, your efforts will be much more fruitful. Please allow me to accompany you as well!”

Lin Feng considered briefly and agreed to Wang Jisheng’s request, his voice deep: “Very well. Affairs in Binhai City will be entrusted to Wang Haiyang for now. However, our journey to Yunfeng Mountain involves hidden matters; I do not wish anyone but us to know. Do you understand?”

“Grandmaster Lin, rest assured. We will keep this absolutely confidential!” The three replied in unison, resolute in their promise.

Lin Feng waved them away, dismissing them.

...

The next morning, Wang Jisheng and Luo Qiankun arrived punctually at Villa No. 1.

Lin Feng, bringing along the Kunwu Sword and the jade talisman he had rushed to forge the previous night, departed with them for the high-speed rail station, bound for Yuntai Mountain.

Wang Jisheng had already purchased business-class tickets. The three boarded the train, speeding toward Yuntai Mountain.

The journey would take six hours. Lin Feng reclined in his spacious chair, feigning sleep, silently running the “Three Pure True Spirit Formula” within, absorbing and refining the ambient spiritual energy along the route.

To his surprise, whenever the train passed through mountain ranges or river veins, he could distinctly sense the pulse of a spiritual vein.

Though faint, Lin Feng could clearly perceive the feeling of all things awakening.

The spiritual energy within the mountains and rivers was much richer and purer than that of the cities.

As Lin Feng savored the ambient energy, a sharp female voice suddenly rang out.

“I’ve booked this carriage. All unrelated persons must leave!”

Lin Feng turned, following the sound, and saw a striking young woman standing at the entrance to their carriage. She wore tight blue jeans and a Korean-style T-shirt, arms crossed, her almond-shaped eyes proud and domineering.

It was not the peak travel season, so the train was not crowded; business class was emptier still. Only Lin Feng and his companions occupied the carriage.

And so, the three became the “unrelated persons” she referred to.

“You little girl, I’ll give you three seconds to get out of my carriage. Otherwise, you’ll regret it!” Wang Jisheng, for years a dominant figure in Binhai’s underground world, still possessed an intimidating air of authority, despite his recent deference before Lin Feng.

The young woman glanced at Wang Jisheng, her eyelid twitching slightly—she sensed his unusual presence.

But she was accustomed to arrogance and would not give him any regard.

“Oh? Regret it? I am Qian Youyou of the Nanyang Qian family. In all my years, I’ve never met anyone who dared speak to me like this. If you have the nerve, say it again!”

“Nanyang Qian family?”

Wang Jisheng pondered the name, finding it vaguely familiar. As he turned it over in his mind, his eyes widened and he was inwardly shocked:

“Heavens! The Nanyang Qian family! That’s the illustrious overseas Chinese clan, renowned across Indonesia and the Philippines—behind some of the world’s leading petrochemical and energy companies.”

“Rumor has it they are closely connected to the Lee president of Singapore. Among the global Chinese community, they are practically ‘aristocrats,’ with assets in the billions!”

If this woman truly hailed from the Nanyang Qian family, matters would indeed be complicated.

A master of intrigue, Wang Jisheng, recognizing her formidable background, wisely refrained from provoking her.

Luo Qiankun was different. In these days, he regarded Lin Feng as his master—almost as a deity—and would never allow anyone to disrespect him.

Luo Qiankun stepped forward, standing beside Lin Feng, his gaze piercing into Qian Youyou. His voice was resolute:

“Apologize! Apologize to Grandmaster Lin!”

“What? You want me to apologize? Do you know who I am? Do you know the Nanyang Qian family? You want Qian Youyou to apologize? Are you insane?”

Qian Youyou’s eyes widened, anger blazing within.

She had grown up in privilege, accustomed to getting whatever she wanted.

Whether studying in America or breaking into the fashion world, she was always the darling of the crowd; never had anyone dared raise their voice to her.

Her demand that they vacate the carriage was, in her mind, a favor.

Yet these men dared challenge her, pushing their luck!